Owls Baseball

The local communities of Rutherford, Polk, Cleveland and McDowell Counties has long been a hotbed for baseball talent, and since their inclusion in the Coastal Plain League in 2008, the Owls have made it a priority to bring in players with local ties. For the 2013 season, that philosophy could not be more true as Forest City will welcome a pair of players with familiar names.

RHP Lucas Cash from VMI and INF Lucas Owens from UNC-Asheville have both signed on with the Owls for the 2013 season, adding a local flavor to one of the top summer league teams in the country.

Cash is a native of Columbus, N.C. and played locally for Polk County High School. Cash enjoyed a strong junior season on the mound, striking out well over a batter per inning (47 innings/64 strikeouts), going 6-2 with three saves and posting an ERA of 1.33. He was named to the All-State team, as well as being recognized as the Player of the Year (POTY) in the Western Highlands (AA) Conference and the POTY on the All-Area team. For his career, he has been a two-year team captain and was the 2009 ERA leader for western North Carolina (0.98), when he had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 7 to 1 (77/13). 

“Lucas will bring us some depth to our pitching,” added Owls manager David Tufo. “He has a fastball that can get up to 88 MPH and was an impact prep player in the area.”

Making a short trip to McNair Field will be Lucas Owens, a native of Forest City who played just miles away at East Rutherford High School. 5-10 and 175 pounds, Owens batted .455 as a senior with 10 doubles, three triples and three homeruns. East Rutherford has quickly become one of the top high school programs in the state of North Carolina, adding a state title in 2010 to give them five in the past 11 years. 

“Owens comes back to his roots in Forest City to be a valuable part of the 2013 Owls,” said Tufo. “His athletic ability allows for him to be a versatile asset for us, and he will have a chance to be a key contributor with our infield.”

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 57 alums – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, visit www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as CPLBaseball).